‘Avengers: Doomsday’ Star’s $150 Million Action Flop is Officially Getting a 2nd Chance on Streaming
‘Desert Warrior’, a historical action film starring Anthony Mackie, is now streaming on Hulu after an unsuccessful cinema release. The film combines seventh-century Arabian history and folklore, following Princess Hind as she escapes an emperor and joins forces with a bandit to unite rival tribes.
Saudi government funding helped launch the project as an effort to support the country’s film industry, but its budget reportedly grew from $70 million to more than $140 million over a five-year production. Released internationally in 2025 and in the United States in April, it earned under $1 million worldwide; Polygon’s review criticises its pacing and casting, while noting its production design, costumes and Saudi desert imagery.
- ‘Desert Warrior’ is now available on Hulu.
- Its budget reportedly exceeded $140 million.
- It grossed less than $1 million worldwide.
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Desert Warrior is a historical action film set in seventh-century Arabia, blending real history with folklore. It follows Princess Hind, played by Aiysha Hart, as she flees a powerful ruler and joins a bandit, portrayed by Anthony Mackie, to bring rival tribes together.
The film was backed in part by Saudi government funding as the country seeks to build its domestic film industry and attract larger international productions. Its long production and reported budget increases made it a high-profile project before its cinema release.
It received a limited response at the box office, despite its large-scale desert settings, costumes and action scenes. Its move to Hulu gives it access to a wider audience through streaming.